The Pakistan Electoral Commission (ECP) has disqualified another Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI), Abdul Latif Chitrali legislator, and declared that his seat of the National Assembly (Na-1, upper and lower chitral) vacant, after the desetification of his electoral victory.
This decision occurs after Chitrali was sentenced to 10 years in prison by an anti -terrorism court for his participation in the violent events of May 9.
The official notification issued by the ECP stated: “As a result, Abdul Latif Chitrali is disqualified under article 63 (1) (h) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.”
Also read: Shah Mahmood Qureshi acquitted, Yasmin Rashid sentenced to 10 years
The court ruling and the subsequent action of the ECP have led the Chitrali seat vacancy in the National Assembly, marking significant development after May 9 events.
A day before, ECP issued disqualification notifications for three PTI legislators, including Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, after his convictions by an anti -terrorism court.
In a notification issued on Monday, the ECP confirmed the disqualification of Chaudhry, Mna Muhammad Ahmad Chattha and the opposition leader of the Punjab Ahmad Khan Bhachar assembly. The three received 10 -year prison sentences under anti -terrorist charges.
Read more: Imran involved in the conspiracy of May 9, LHC rules
Senator Chaudhry was convicted by an anti -terrorism court and is no longer eligible to remain a member of the Senate under article 63 (1) (h) of the Constitution, said the ECP. “The anti -terrorism court has declared the guilty Chaudhry and sentenced it to ten years,” the notification said.
Meanwhile, ATC Lahore acquitted six PTI leaders, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Hamza Azeem, in relation to the disturbances of May 9, while sentenced to another 10, including Dr. Yasmin Rashid, 10 years in prison.
May 9 disturbances
May 9 disturbances burst throughout the country after the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, after which PTI leaders and workers organized protests aimed at civil and military facilities, including Jinnah House and GHQ in Rawalpindi. The military condemned events as a “black day” and decided to try the protesters under the Army Law.
As a result of the riots, many PTI members were arrested and tried in military courts. In December, a military court condemned 25 people, including Imran Khan’s nephew, Hassan Khan Niazi, and then sentenced to 60 more.
In January, 19 convicts had their forgiven sentences after successful appeals of mercy, although PTI expressed dissatisfaction with the limited number of pardons. Initially, the military trials had stopped after a ruling of the Supreme Court, but resumed after the court instructions to finish pending cases and announce judgments for those involved in violent incidents.
